WEST PALM BEACH, FL – October 2, 2018 – Karen Greene today received the Proclamation for October as Guardianship Awareness Month 2018, along with the President of Palm Beach County Chapter Guardianship Association Penny Maitner.

“I would like to thank Commissioner Mary Lou Berger, her Senior Administrative Assistant Ms. Vivian Leiva and our County Commissioners for recognizing our efforts to educate the public on the facts about guardianship,” said Karen Greene. “The Florida State Guardianship Association, of which I am Immediate Past President, is dedicated to informing the public about the hundreds of hard-working, dedicated and well-trained guardians throughout our state. As a guardian, our ultimate goal is to bring back as much independence as possible to those we serve.”

In raising awareness of guardianship, the hope is that those who are able will prepare necessary documents to avoid guardianship. While you are your best advocate, guardianship is always viewed as a last resort dedicated to the protection of the dignity and rights of the incapacitated persons, and to increasing the professionalism of guardianship through education, networking and legislative action.

We got back from our trip to SouthSudan in May. We met with our local volunteers, government officials, and tribal leaders to check on the progress and development of our initiative there. While the political and economic situation in thee country is bleak, there is hope on the horizon. We went back to villages where we had delivered goats a year ago. When we first arrived, the recipients had the tell-tale signs of malnutrition. There hair was turning orange, their stomachs were bloated, and their eyes were yellow. When we went back and visited these same villages these signs had virtually disappeared and the citizens are much healthier, stronger, and independent.

We are now working with these same villages on critical next steps towards education, medicine and sustainability. Meanwhile, we will continue to expand our goat initiative to neighboring villages and areas in need as indicated by the locals. We will begin sending out a monthly newsletter keeping you updated on our work. We are very excited with these results and we know that it would not be possible without YOU! The people of SouthSudan thank you!

Attached is the photo of a recipient receiving the goat that a YOU donated. We apologize if the words on the photo are small or fuzzy in some cases. In an effort to provide jobs, we employ as many locals as possible throughout the delivery and photo-taking process. We are still training them and sometimes this means that we sacrifice quality on the photos. We hope that you will understand. If you would like I can photoshop it to make it look clearer, but I wanted you to see the original version unedited so that you have proof that the photo was unaltered.

We hope you will think of us in the future. In addition to goats, you can donate a wheelchair, purchase a “Survivors’ Heart” to help the women of SouthSudan, or make a general donation to support our programs there. Whatever you can do, and for what you have done, we are most appreciative!